West Corridor Progress – Lamar Station

Next up on our West Corridor tour is the Lamar Station. As with both the Knox and Perry Stations, the Lamar Station will not have any parking and be a purely “Kiss-n-Ride” station only meaning that passengers can be easily dropped off or picked up close to the station (either private car or bus). The Louisiana-Pearl Station on the Southeast Corridor is another example of a Kiss-n-Ride station. As you can see, the station is nearly complete and has the same design motif as seen along the rest of the corridor. Crews have installed the crossing arms across Lamar as well.

The Lamar Station is in a very tight location at the corner of 13th Avenue and Lamar Street. The rail alignment was so tight through this area that a building to the west of the station lost a loading dock to allow for construction and operation of the rail line.

Next week, we’ll take a look at the Wadsworth-Lakewood Station (its official name). The Wadsworth-Lakewood Station is expected to be one of the busiest stations along the corridor and has a very unique design scheme.

Also, I have great news for those of us looking forward to light rail to Lakewood and Golden, which is also bad news for geniuses looking to steal copper (like these jokers). The Overhead Catenary System (OCS) is now considered live meaning that the corridor is electrified as RTD crews kick off major operational testing along the tracks. Just another sign of progress as the West Corridor moves closer to completion – only 163 more days!

The Lamar Street Station will be a walk-up station. There will not be any designated parking area or area to drop off or pick up passengers. The station is intended for use by the residents that live in the nearby neighborhoods. All drop off and pick up activity should occur at the Wadsworth or Sheridan stations to the west or east of the Lamar Street Station.

Metro West Housing Solutions is constructing a 110-unit mixed-income (subsidied affordable and market rate) apartment building called Lamar Station Crossing 450 feet from Lamar Station in the heart of the emerging 40 West Arts District. To learn more: http://www.mwhsolutions.org/mwhs_future.php

Lamar Station is what is called a “walk-up station” — as were the old interurban stations on this line. There is a neighborhood bus — Route 9 — on Lamar Street, but most transfers would likely occur at the Lakewood/Wadsworth Station.